JESUS IS ARRESTED
Satan now had possession of Judas Iscariot and there was no going back. I knew that Judas was motivated by his desire to push forward with a revolution and he was intent on trying to force my hand into leading it. He expected the people to follow me and overcome the Romans when I resisted arrest. My victorious entry into Jerusalem a couple of days ago had whipped him up into a frenzy of anticipation and he was ready to act.
Illustration: Free Bible Images UK
Judas wasn’t impressed by my choice of transport when I travelled to Jerusalem on a colt. Rather he would have preferred a gold gem-encrusted chariot, driven by some fearless black stallions. He considered a dramatic entrance much more appropriate for a future King. My friend was impatient – Judas believed that the long-awaited Messiah would rule a kingdom here on earth. How poor was his comprehension; he understood nothing about the Kingdom of Heaven.
Judas never imagined that, when it came to it, I would humbly accept my fate, without so much as a word. He truly believed that I would use my power, supernatural or otherwise, to place the Romans beneath my feet. He was primed for whatever it would take; bloodshed came secondary in his thoughts. He vividly imagined a triumphant outcome in the overthrowing of the Roman government.
Had nothing I said been understood, nothing of what I had taught got through to him? Sadly I was aware that the consequences of his immediate actions would lead to my death and this generated sympathy in me towards my disciple. He hadn’t the remotest idea that the outcome of his planning would lead to my crucifixion.
In the darkness the guards and the Chief Priests arrived armed with weapons. They approached me in a threatening manner. My beloved disciple Peter, hot-headed as usual, sprung to my defence. Attacking the servant of the High Priest, he violently cut off his ear! It grieved me to rebuke Peter but I had to remain vigilant in my mission. It was crucial that I didn’t allow sentiment to interfere. I touched the servant and healed him.
Under the protection of the dark night, my arrest was made possible without drawing too much attention to it. Was I leading a rebellion? No! Their attitudes and lethal weapons raised against me,were indeed unnecessary.
Without any semblance of gentleness, I was captured and taken to Annas, who was Caiaphas’ father-in-law. Annas, together with the elders, began to question me. I slowed my breathing down and remained very still and attentive, continuing to listen in silence.
We were in the courtyard of the High Priest’s palace. Peter had not been allowed in and he hung back keeping a low profile. The blood was cursing around my veins at a tremendous speed and again I tried to slow it down and overcome my body’s natural response to fear. I focused on my Father and drew great strength from the presence of His Spirit.
I was aware that Peter had already stepped onto the path and was designing any association with me. I completely understood why he had to do that. I did not need the added stress of Peter placing himself in danger and subsequently joining me in this trial. Confirming that he had no knowledge of me fulfilled the scriptures and my own trauma was enough for me to cope with. I was glad that he distanced himself, even though it would tear at Peter’s heart and he would despise himself because of it. I did not have time to dwell too long on that thought.
The Sanhedrin were intent on twisting the things I had taught and they tried avidly to distort my teaching. Their efforts to discredit me involved them coercing many people whom they bribed to speak out adversely against me. My head was bowed as I listened to their lies and the subsequent corruption of the truth was appalling. Nothing that I was accused of would indeed stand up against me and I began to breathe just a little easier. Nevertheless, I realised that what they were saying was still very damaging. When the elders observed that the mood of those present was shifting in my favour and they were on the verge of being swayed by my silence, their determination to convict me spurred them on to greater lengths.
In a last effort of accusation, they produced two more witnesses, their testimony distorted though it was, sealed my fate.
Avoiding my eyes, they testified that I, Jesus, had stated, “I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.” My heart sighed, almost in despair; I was alarmed by their complete absence in perception. Their lack of discernment astonished me. How could they not understand that I had been referring to ‘my body’ as being the temple and rebuilding it – meant that ‘I’ would be resurrected after they destroyed me? Hard as it was, I continued to remain silent.
The High Priest directed a question at me. “Tell us if you are The Christ, the Son of God”? I knew then that I could not be safe following this revelation. The High Priest tore his clothes, accusing me of blasphemy. No more false witnesses were needed, death was pronounced and my future was decreed!
It was a unanimous decision; their fury at my admission was uncontrollable. Each one of them screamed that I was worthy of death. Slime covered my face as they spat at me, slapping and punching me. My eyes were bound and, out of dominance, they demanded I prophesy who had hit me. Holding on tightly to God, I shrivelled inside, blameless, beseeching my Father to help me. The revulsion I felt at the injustice of this treatment only added to the pressure – pressure which had my mind bordering on hysteria.
The Jewish law demanded that the Sanhedrin sit for two sessions . The first trial needed to be followed automatically by a second, before conviction could be approved. The next trial was to take place before Pilate. Judas Iscariot, on hearing the outcome that I had been convicted, was instantly filled with remorse. I was pleased that not all of my teaching had been lost on him. He truly felt sorry for my fate and now regretted his part in it. Judas returned the money that he had accepted for betraying me and told the Chief Priest that I was innocent.
I could ask no more of him, he acknowledged in his heart that ‘he’ had done wrong. Despite my dire circumstances, I rejoiced with God for his repentance. I knew that a terrible fate was now in store for Judas.
I was taken to Pontius Pilate, governor in charge of the province of Judea, where Jerusalem was located. Early in the morning, Pilate was woken by the crowd at his door. Despite his stormy relationship with the Jews, they now demanded his approval concerning my death ( his previous actions had deeply offended the religious leaders) but now they required his help. Pilate had always been susceptible to pressure and often chose what was wrong, regardless of what was right. His fairness had been compromised by his mistakes and previously his actions had caused riots and chaos.
Pilate was delivered a fait accompli when I was thrust unceremoniously to stand trial before him. His first question to me was, “Are you the king of the Jews?” I agreed that it was as he said and then I refrained from answering any of his questions, silently asking my Father to strengthen me to hold my tongue.
It was a bone of contention with the Jewish leaders who needed approval from a Roman governor in order for me to be condemned to death. The Romans had taken away the Jewish right to inflict capital punishment. The Jews wanted me executed on a cross; a brutal form of death that the Romans inflicted on criminals and which the Jews considered brought a curse from God. Deuteronomy 21:22-23
The Chief Priests had fabricated serious crimes against the state of which Pilate would be unable to overlook without issuing due punishment. He considered me to be foolish by refusing to defend myself by continuing in silence. My Father empowered me to remain mute.
Pilate was discerning enough to perceive that the Jews were tempered with jealousy but he was too timid to wholeheartedly oppose them. Trying to rationalise with them was pointless but he thought that the Jewish people would stand up for an innocent man. Pilate’s unease about sealing my fate was manifested when he spoke to the crowd and offered to release me.”Do you want me to free the King of the Jews?” It was the custom of the governor, at the feast of the Passover, to free one prisoner. Despite Pilate trying to manipulate my liberation he was shocked when he heard cries of “let Barabbas go,” (a dangerous notorious murderer).
When asked about my fate they yelled, “Crucify him.”
I tried to separate myself from the screams which echoed around me. Inside my head I was terrified, alone, bereft, separated from my friends. Swallowing the bile that was threatening to choke me, I searched my heart for God. The warmth of approval came quickly and encouraged me; together we would do this. Pilate gave the order for me to be taken out into the square and flogged, just as a common criminal would be. I was pushed impatiently by strong rough hands. My impassive stance broke no resistance, my wrists had been tied painfully behind me.
The scourging cut deeply into the soft flesh on my back and legs. With intent, the implement of torture was designed to weaken its victim. It had been made with broken glass, nails, bone and lead weights which were attached to leather strips, forming a vicious whip.
Mercilessly my limbs reverberated, bruising as I bounced against the lashes. Sticky heat soaked my torso from open wounds. The skin was torn open without compassion. My body danced of its own volition as if trying to escape the torment of straps meeting flesh in disfigurement. The cruel crown of thorns which had been forced onto my head now slipped and blocked my vision, damaging my already swollen eyes from the brutal attack when I had been blindfolded and punched. My scalp bled from the many blood vessels damaged by the sharp vicious thorns.
The extreme pain was like a metal clamp around my head and continued across my shoulders, down into the exposed muscles where the flesh had been ripped open and sliced by the venomous assault. The fiendish whip made vigorous contact with my body, throwing it around as I bounced like a dead animal, as I endured each stroke. The flogging was so brutal that it was necessary to change floggers when one became tired!
Nothing could have prepared my disciples for them having to witness this. I sank deeper into God’s arms and gained great comfort from his presence – I knew that He felt every lash with me. Afterwards, the soldiers dressed me in a purple robe, the type a king would wear. Taking me out again to the Jews, Pilate said he had found no basis for a death penalty.
Still they screamed, “Crucify, Crucify.” Crucifixion was the most painful and dreaded form of death that the Romans inflicted on many; it was a vicious, cruel form of execution which caused the victims a long slow death.
Pilate handed me back to them stating he found no basis for a charge against me, telling them to crucify me themselves. They insisted that I was an enemy of the state. My claim to be the Son of God quite obviously terrified Pilate and he became desperate to find a way to let me go. The Jews were adamant that if he released me he was no friend of Caesar; how would he dare go against them and free someone claiming to be a king?
Illustration – Free Bible Images UK
Judgement was passed and I hungrily breathed in God’s Spirit, just as my legs buckled and turned to jelly. Finally, Pontus Pilate reluctantly gave the order for me to be crucified!
It’s hard for me to voice how I felt on hearing those words. I had been born for this specific reason …. To be a living sacrifice for the world! I had accepted that I would die in this way – without resistance, but I was still dejected. I had to devour God’s Spirit over and over again and each time that I did, I was rewarded with His peace and the sorrowful anguish dissipated, giving me the strength to completely surrender and accept my fate ….. in silence!
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